An independent judiciary cannot be imagined without a free press: Chief Justice Shrestha

He said this while addressing a workshop on court reporting and media organized by the Supreme Court and Constitutional and Judicial Journalist Forum at Dhulikhel in Kavrepalanchok on Friday evening. He said that the judiciary and media are important pillars of democracy. He insisted that democracy cannot be strong in the absence of judiciary and media.

He said that the rule of law cannot be prosperous without ensuring an independent judiciary and freedom of the press. He mentioned that the concept of full press freedom, competent, independent and impartial judiciary has been embraced in the constitution of Nepal itself and said that independent judiciary and press freedom are considered as complementary and interrelated cover or recognition of each other. He said that although the roles and responsibilities of the judiciary and the media sector are different, the goals and objectives are the same.

Chief Justice Shrestha He said that the soul of the judiciary and the constitution is an institution that is alive with the faith of the citizens.

He said that since the responsibilities, roles and progress of the judiciary are specific and sensitive, it is desirable that everyone concerned, including the media world, should have the same approach regarding the functioning of the judiciary and its sensitivity.

He said that the essence of the judiciary is the decision and order made in the spirit of justice. He said that the value and recognition of an independent judiciary should be kept intact. He said that performance of result-oriented work in accordance with the expectations of the citizens and the creation of an environment that can be trusted are the major needs and challenges of the present time.

'Judiciary and media are important pillars of democracy. Democracy cannot be strong without it. Also, the rule of law cannot be prosperous without ensuring an independent judiciary and freedom of the press. In the preamble of the Constitution of Nepal, the concept of full freedom of the press, competent, independent and impartial judiciary has been adopted, he said, Therefore, independent judiciary and freedom of the press are considered as complementary and interrelated cover or recognition of each other. Freedom of the press without an independent judiciary and an independent judiciary without an independent press cannot be imagined.

Chief Justice Shrestha said that the media is the voice of the judiciary. He said that through the media, the actual situation of the judiciary's actions and decisions will reach the common people. He said that appropriate sensitivity and seriousness is necessary when communicating news and information related to the judiciary and judicial proceedings. He said that the role of the media sector in enhancing faith and trust in the judiciary is significant. He said that news should not be published or broadcast in such a way as to affect the case pending in the court or to harm the cleanliness, integrity, dignity and self-esteem of the justice personnel. He said that justice should not be defeated because of the news.